…Father Thai hits one out of the park again and nails me in the back of the head!
 
Father Thai is our new associate priest at St. Elizabeth’s in Pflugerville, Texas. (pronounced Flew-gur-vill). Every homily he has given rocks. He nails the gospel, explains the difficult parts, and challenges us to live like Christ. No bones, no punches pulled, no apologies. Whoop!
 
Then we got to the annual Catholic Services Appeal–the diocesan request for donations for seminarian education, retired priest care, outreach ministries, religious education, and many other worthy causes.
 
In past years, I have given a decent amount to this appeal, and in total each year, I give from 10% to 15% to the Church, usually around 13%. The “extra” 3% on top of the 10% “tithe” amount is more attributable to my laziness in not keeping exact count of how much I have given, rather than special generosity on my part. Also, thanks be to God, I make more money than I need, so I have a cushion in giving extra and not going destitute.
 
Soo, Father Thai opened up his talk on the Services Appeal and said, “In the Old Testament, people gave 10% of their income to God.”
I thought: “Ooh, he’s going for the 10% on people–that’s gonna be a big challenge for them! I already give that much anyway, so I’m smooth sailing.”
 
Father Thai: “But I’m not going to ask you for 10%, after all, this is the Catholic Church.”
I thought: “Man, not even Father Thai would go for the 10% challenge on people. He recognizes that this is the Catholic Church, where the average donation amount is 0.5% from what I have read. Well, that’s reality, and I guess he’s gonna go for some lesser amount.”
 
Father Thai: “Yes, this is the Catholic Church, not the Old Testament anymore, and here we receive the very Body and Blood of Christ. So I’m not going to ask for 10%. Instead, we should be giving 15% to 20% to God!”
(Deafening silence–I hear a loud thump and echo as something powerful slams against my hardened heart.)
 

I thought: “What? Oh my goodness–he’s right. We have the fulfillment of that which was only foreshadowed in the Old Testament. Here I have been so complacent and self-satisfied with my giving of Y%, never being challenged to be more generous by any pastor. Most seem to be afraid to even mention tithing lest the congregation bring out the stones and rotten fruit, much less ask for more than a tithe.
 
“Can I give 15%? 20%! I know I can, but that would mean being more generous, and paying more attention to how much I give, and perhaps actually having to make some sacrifices to give that much.”
 
So I came home today and wrote the check to this year’s Appeal, and instead of giving just a little bit more than last year (to keep up with inflation was my original thought before Father Thai/Jesus kicked me in the butt), I increased it 50%).
 
I don’t tell you this to make you think that I am so generous. I am not. The old woman who gave her two pennies to the temple in Jesus’ time was more generous than me by far, and don’t think that Jesus doesn’t know it, for he sees into our hearts. I tell you this so that you, too, will be challenged by Father Thai, for there ain’t many priests like him, and some of us who are of my ilk, desperately need to be challenged to go further than even we thought was asked.
 
Jesus said; “To whom much has been given, much will be required.” And it turns out, he has given me a lot.
 
“Your Kingdom come, Lord! All I have, you have given to me, and it is not mine to possess. Forgive me for my selfishness and greed and for putting my security in money instead of you. Accept my gifts and help me be more generous to you, adorable Savior.”